Hanoi Highlights

Hanoi Attractions

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Top 10 Hanoi Attractions

You will never be stuck for something to do in Hanoi, where ancient and proudly
preserved Vietnamese culture is felt most keenly by visitors, and progress
wrestles with tradition in different districts of the city. Hanoi is actually
over 1000 years old so the wealth of history here is mind boggling: temples,
ancient citadels, unique theatre and stunning wilderness just outside the city
all offer fun-filled days in Vietnam’s capital. Make sure to visit as many of
these attractions in Hanoi as possible because they all offer entertainment,
beauty and education at different turns. Enjoy our list of Top 10 Attractions in
Hanoi below.

1. Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is an intriguing relic of Vietnam’s history
and, signifying its historical and cultural importance, is now a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. Standing 40 metres high, the central flag tower is the most
recognizable feature of the Imperial Citadel and is often used as a symbol of
Hanoi. This was the centre of ancient Hanoi and served as the political centre
for eight centuries. Located in Ba Dinh, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is
close to many other tourist attractions. Read More…

Opening Hours: Daily 8:00 – 12:30 & 13:30 – 19:30

Location: Quan Thanh, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

2. Water Puppet Theatre

The ancient art form of water puppetry has a long association with Hanoi and
there are several theatres where guests can enjoy this uniquely Vietnamese take
on Asia’s puppet tradition. The original – and widely regarded as the best –
theatre in town is the Thang Long Puppet Theatre. Puppets dance and slide
elegantly over the liquid stage, controlled by a whole troupe of puppet masters
hiding behind a screen. Most shows also feature the famous Legend of the
Restored Sword of King Le which tells the tale of Hoan Kiem Lake and the giant
tortoise.

Ho Chi Minh has left an indelible mark on Vietnamese history and he is revered in
Hanoi as the country’s greatest leader. Nicknamed ‘Uncle Ho’ by locals, his
preserved body is now laid to rest in a glass case in the Ba Dinh area of Hanoi.
This is more than a tourist attraction, it is a part of living history and a
visit here stays long in the memory. The sombre building was modeled after
Lenin’s mausoleum in Moscow.

Opening Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 07:30 – 10:30,

Saturday & Sunday 07:30 – 11:00

Monday & Friday: Closed

Ticket: 40,000 VNĐ

Address: 8 Hung Vuong, Dien Bien, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

4. The Perfume Pagoda

The Perfume Pagoda, known locally as Chua Huong or ‘inner temple’, is at the
centre of a very revered and sacred site featuring a maze of mainly Buddhist
temples built into the limestone cliffs of Huong Tich. At the heart of this
complex lies the Perfume Temple or Perfume Pagoda in the Huong Tich Cave. It is
believed that the first temple was built here in the 15th century, although
legend declares that the site was actually discovered over 2,000 years ago by a
Buddhist monk who was meditating nearby. The mountain foothills are an area of
great natural and spiritual beauty filled with streams, tropical plants and
temples. There are many pagodas to visit, each offering a different shrine, most
of which are Buddhist although one or two are animist. The Perfume Pagoda
attracts pilgrims and tourists seeking good luck from the stalagmites and
stalactites inside the cave which have been named according to the individual
blessing they can bestow. Dun Tien offers prosperity and Nui Co offers the
chance of giving birth to a girl whilst Dun Gao translates as a ‘rice stack’ to
those hoping for a bountiful harvest.

Opening Hours: Daily 06:30 – 17:00

Location: Huong Son, My Duc, Hanoi

5. HoanKiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple

Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi attracts tourists and locals looking to get away from the
noise and frenetic pace of the city. Peaceful and quiet, the lake surrounds Ngoc
Son Temple, a pagoda sitting in the centre on a small island. The temple
attracts many visitors and was built in commemoration of the 13th century
military leader Tran Hung Dao who was renowned for his bravery in the battle
against the Yuan Dynasty. Homage is also paid to scholar Van Xuong and Confucian
master Nguyen Van Sieu. The island on which the temple is built is known as Jade
Island and is accessible by the iconic Huc Bridge or Rising Sun Bridge which is
a charming scarlet-painted wooden bridge of classical Vietnamese design. The
pagoda is also guarded by two towering posts decorated with Chinese writing. The
lake and temple are probably the most famous places in Hanoi city in which to
rest and enjoy the view and are a great place to sit back and watch the
locals.

Ngoc Son Temple’s Ticket: 30,000 VNĐ

Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 07:00 – 18:00,

Saturday & Sunday 07:00 – 21:00

Location: Hanoi Old Quarter

6. Dong Xuan Market

Established in 1889, Dong Xuan Market is housed within a four-storey Soviet-style
building on the northern edge of Hanoi Old Quarter. It’s also known as Hanoi’s
largest indoor market, offering a wide range of goods such as fresh produce,
souvenirs, accessories and clothing, as well as electronic and household
appliances. Similar to most markets in Southeast Asia, Dong Xuan Market has a
bustling wet market section on the ground floor, where locals shop for seafood,
meat, and vegetables while the back section sells an array of pets (cats, dogs,
and fish) and fresh flowers from all across Vietnam. If you’re looking to shop
for souvenirs, head to the upper levels, where you can find numerous stalls
selling tee shirts, fabrics, school uniforms, handbags, handicrafts, all of
which are sold at wholesale prices.

Opening Hours: Daily 06:00 – 18:00

Address: Dong Xuan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

7. Hanoi Old Quarter

Hanoi Old Quarter is a fascinating area of the city where visitors can enjoy many
fine examples of colonial architecture packed along narrow streets. Endless
packs of scooters, motorbikes, bicycles and cars weave around traders selling
fruit and souvenirs and narrow shop houses sell delicious Vietnamese food for
pennies. The Old Quarter brings to life what many people imagine Hanoi to be,
and exploring this area on foot is highly recommended for all visitors to
Vietnam’s capital city.

Location: Hanoi Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem District

8. Ba Vi National Park

Ba Vi National Park is a nature reserve of stunning beauty located around two
hours (48km) from downtown Hanoi. Famous for its three-peaked mountain that juts
steeply up into the sky and is often topped by cloud, Ba Vi National Park has
dramatic scenery and a diverse range of jungle plants and animals. At the summit
of the tallest mountain is an 11th century temple offering expansive views of
the surrounding countryside and on the forest floor are natural hot
springs.

Location: 58 kilometres west of Hanoi

Ticket: 60,000 VNĐ

9. Hanoi Opera House

Hanoi Opera House, set in the heart of the French Quarter, is arguably one of the
most elegant buildings in all of Hanoi. Built in 1911 and modelled after the
Paris Opera House, this historical landmark exudes Parisian charm from its
ivory-toned columns, ornate balustrades and Gothic domes. Priced at VND 100,000
upwards, visitors can enjoy classical performances ranging from Vietnamese opera
and dance performances to sketches and music concerts by world-renowned artists.
Read More…

Address: 1 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi Tel: +84 43 933 0113

Price Range: VND 100,000 – VND 2,000,000

10. Temple of Literature

The Temple of Literature is a charming temple complex in the centre of Hanoi that
was originally built to be a centre of learning dedicated to the Chinese sage
and scholar Confucius. Over the proceeding 1000 years many more buildings have
been added and beautified o that now this large area is filled with ornate
pavilions, shrines, and a rich garden. It has become a rite of passage for
graduating doctors to visit The Temple of Literature and the whole place is
steeped in Vietnamese history.